Matthews Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
383.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Matthews, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Matthews | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -47% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Matthews compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Matthews, North Carolina | 154 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Stallings, North Carolina | 126.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Indian Trail, North Carolina | 133 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Mint Hill, North Carolina | 104 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | 152.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Matthews compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Matthews | 154 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Matthews's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Matthews, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County — a major east Charlotte suburban community (Matthews is a significant Mecklenburg County town — one of the most desirable east Charlotte suburbs, a rapidly growing community in the I-485 outer belt corridor east of Charlotte with some of the most sought-after residential neighborhoods in the Charlotte metro; Matthews is known for its historic downtown district with boutique shops and the popular Matthews Farmers Market (one of the most popular farmers markets in the Charlotte metro, held in the downtown Matthews area)), a diverse Mecklenburg County community with a primarily affluent professional and suburban family population, adjacent to Mint Hill and Stallings in the east Mecklenburg corridor, home of Central Piedmont Community College's Matthews campus, and one of the Charlotte metro's most growing suburban communities — draws its municipal water supply from Mountain Island Lake via Charlotte Water. Water hardness in Matthews measures 154 mg/L — classified as hard.
Matthews's hard supply reflects the east Mecklenburg Charlotte Water distribution zone's characteristics. The Charlotte Water distributes Catawba River (Mountain Island Lake) supply through the east Mecklenburg Matthews zone (primarily 1980s–2000s suburban development mains), producing the hard 154 mg/L.
At 154 mg/L, Matthews residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling is recommended. Charlotte Water consistently delivers water meeting all North Carolina DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Catawba River (Mountain Island Lake) via the Charlotte Water — the Mecklenburg County east Charlotte suburban Matthews corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Carolina Piedmont gneiss and schist — the calcareous-moderate south Piedmont Carolina Catawba watershed; Charlotte Water east Mecklenburg distribution to Matthews zone); hard supply at 154 mg/L in Mecklenburg County.